I had read that too. I don't know if you'd really be doing the little guy any favors by clipping him instead of "doing the deed". I used to clip the flight feathers of my pet Lovebird so that I could catch him more easily. With shortened flight feathers birds can still use their wings for gliding, but they can't get much loft. And as soon as I adopted my kitty, I stopped clipping Newton so that he'd have a fighting chance to get away should he ever be accidentally out when the cat is around. Seems to me that clipping a HOSP would simply prolong what is sure to be a death sentence anyway - he'd be cat food in pretty short order, I think.

You can find details on has to do this properly on Bet's web site http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm so if you do this, do it properly or it will not be effective.
However: Feathers grow back, and within 6 months, they are back to normal. It will NOT stop them from breeding, but it might make them a bit less attractive for a while, and they will be more vulnerable to predation. But before you can do that, you will still have to trap them. Then, if released, they will be trap-wise.
BlueBars

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.sialis.org/hosp.htm

The article I read on the Sialis website said that it does stop them from breeding because they have to use all their energy for daily living. I hate this - I truly do.

Anita

Anita, I had thougt that if I ever get invaded with them thats what I would do. I checked with my local Raptor Rehabber but she wont take them because she says they harbor too many diseases, so I thought OK just feed the local wild Raptors and whatever else comes along......after thinking about it I think a quick end is more humane. I hate the though of killing anything too, I hope I never have to! They are thinking of selling of the Boy Scout Camp not far from here and putting in a housing development....OOOOHHHH I hope they don't!